Kona Ho Chi Min?

[steelframer]

So there's a steel Kona Ho Chi Min for sale in my area:

≥ Kona mountainbike 26inch — Fietsen | Heren | Herenfietsen — Marktplaats

Goeie mountainbike met 21 versnellingen , km teller, bidonhouder en twee soorten handvatten.Moet ff een goeie beurt, maar kan daarna weer voor jaren

www.marktplaats.nl

It's STX, 21 speed, converted from canti to V-brakes, suspension fork (WP logo) with threadless stem. Blue bike with gold Kona and Ho Chi Min decals.

I cannot find anything about this model (except a 2003 or 2004 alu Kona Ho Chi Min). Does it even look like a real Kona? What else could it be?

Edit: I realize this might be the same bike from another thread (https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/kona-ho-chi-min.375046/) but it doesn't have photos anymore...

 

[swannymere]

Apparently 50 were built for a hire shop in Canada, just did a quick Google search.

 

[steelframer]

Apparently 50 were built for a hire shop in Canada, just did a quick Google search.

Yeah that's what I also found, but they are quite different to the one in the ad. So this is either an even more unknown/rare model, or a fake Ho Chi Min or even fake Kona.

 

[steelframer]

Contacted Kona and they have no doubt that it is a fake (not a Kona at all).
So for future reference, see the image attached and steer clear of it

 

[swannymere]

Why even bother going to all that effort?

 

[greencat]

Someone really wanted a Kona, but couldn't afford it